University of California, Irvine | The Paul Merage School of Business

Program

Submit your question via our online form if you need more information.

Please select a question below:

General Questions About the FEMBA Program

1)	How long is the MBA program? How many units do I need to complete it?

	The Fully Employed MBA Program is a 27-month (Spring Class, includes summers) or 33 month (Fall, excluding summers) program that follows the quarter system. 92 units are required to complete the program (18 courses, 3 residentials.)

2)	Does the MBA program offer areas of concentration?

During the last year of the MBA program, you have the opportunity to customize your curriculum in the area of your interest with the electives offered. The program offers focused areas of study, including:

          - Accounting
          - Finance
          - Marketing
          - Economic/Public Policy
          - Information Systems
          - Operation and Decision Technologies
          - Organization & Management
          - Real Estate
          - Strategy

3)	If I enter the FEMBA program in the Fall, could I take courses during the summer to accelerate?

Yes, you may, however, the FEMBA program is based on the cohort system which means that you take all of your core classes with your cohort (Spring or Fall) and then you take electives with all of the FEMBA students that graduate in your graduation year (2009, or 2010, etc.)

You could feasibly take elective courses during the summer, provided that the instructor approves and there are seats available in the class.

General Application Questions

1)	What are the minimum requirements for admittance to the Fully Employed MBA program?

	Please see the Admissions Requirements page in this section for a complete list of requirements.

2)	How much is the application fee? Can I request an application fee waiver?

	The application fee is $150.00. We do not offer application fee waivers at this time.

3)	What does the Admissions Committee look for in an applicant?

	The Admissions Committee seeks to create a dynamic and diverse MBA class with students who will make a unique contribution to the MBA experience. Students come from various academic and professional backgrounds and share in common intelligence, a proven track record in their academic and professional pursuits, and in their drive to excel and fulfill their leadership potential.

4)	Is work experience required for admission?

	We have a preferred work experience requirement of 2 years. Candidates with less than two years of strong work experience are encouraged to apply, but we recommend that you contact us first to find out if the FEMBA program is right for you. FEMBA students have an average of six years of full-time work experience.

5)	Do I need to have a business background to apply to the program?

	No, you do not need to have an undergraduate degree in business. Our students come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. For additional information, please refer to the class profile.

6)	Are there any prerequisites for admission to the FEMBA Program?

	There are no specific prerequisite requirements for the Fully Employed MBA Program. However, the Admissions Committee does look for evidence of quantitative proficiency in all applicants. We strongly recommend that applicants complete, at a minimum, a college-level mathematics and statistics course.

Admissions Questions

1)	When can I apply? When are the application deadlines?

	Applications are processed on a rolling admissions basis, and they are evaluated as they are received. Below are deadlines to assist you in your application planning: Fall 2008 Application Deadline: May 5, 2008 Fall 2008 Application Deadline: July 7, 2008

2)	How do I apply?

	Candidates are required to apply through our online application. Supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation (if you are not submitting them online) should be mailed in one package to: The Paul Merage School of Business Fully Employed MBA Program UC Irvine SB 202 Irvine, CA 92697-3125

3)	Are there any advantages to applying early?

	Yes. Applicants are notified of admissions decisions and fellowship award packages continuously throughout the admissions cycle. We typically notify candidates of their admissions decision within 2-3 weeks after each deadline, or possibly earlier, depending on when you apply to the FEMBA Program.

4)	How does your admissions process work? How long does it take to get a decision?

	When an application is complete with all supporting documents, it is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. An interview is required for the FEMBA program; you may schedule your interview before you submit your online application oe after you submit your application. Admissions decisions are usually made every 3-4 weeks.

5)	May I defer my admission?

	Yes, you may defer admission to the Fully Employed MBA Program for up to one year. A $1,000 deposit is required to secure your spot in the next class.

6)	If I have already completed MBA classes at another university, may I waive some of the classes or transfer credit?

	We do not transfer MBA credit from other universities, so any work you completed at other institutions would not count toward a degree at the Merage School. It may be possible to waive core courses, which is at the discretion of the faculty and will not expedite your graduation. All students must complete the same number of units (92).

7)	Am I eligible to apply if I already have an MBA degree from another university?

	University of California, Irvine policy prohibits the awarding of duplicate degrees. We are unable to consider your application if you have an MBA degree from another university.

Letters of Recommendation

1)	From whom should I get my recommendations?

	Letters of recommendations from direct supervisors are preferred. They may also be obtained from people who know you professionally, such as clients, former bosses, or others who know your professional abilities. Recommendations from professors are not helpful unless you have done extensive work or research with them, or you have been out of school for less than two years.

2)	May I submit more than two recommendations?

	Yes, you may submit more than two letters of recommendation. We only recommend that you submit additional letters of recommendation if you believe that they will strengthen your application.

3)	How do I submit my letters of recommendation?

	We prefer that you submit your recommendations through our online application. However, if your recommenders prefer to complete the recommendation form on paper, please mail the sealed letters along with your other supporting documents to: The Paul Merage School of Business UC Irvine Fully Employed MBA Program SB 202 Irvine, CA 92697-3125

Interview Process

1)	How does the interview process work? Do all applicants who get admitted to your program go through an interview process?

	Interviews are required for most candidates to the Fully Employed MBA Program. You may schedule an evaluative interview with us before you apply, or after you submit your application. The one-on-one interview is conducted by a Recruitment and Admissions Staff member.

Re-Applying to the FEMBA Program

1)	What if I want to reapply?

If you submitted an application to the Full-Time MBA, FEMBA, EMBA, or HCEMBA program within the last 12 months and were not offered admission, we will re-open your application for the FEMBA Program if you request so in writing (e-mail or letter.) The first step towards re-opening your application is to contact the Recruitment and Admissions office to let them know. In addition, please send the following items to the Recruitment and Admissions office:

          - One new letter of recommendation.
          - Additional documentation, as specified by the Admissions Office, if applicable
          - An updated copy of your resume.
          - Any new test scores, if applicable.

My question is not answered here

Please feel free to contact the MBA Office at (949) 824-4565 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or feel free to contact Jon Masciana, Associate Director of Admissions, at 949.824.0595.